UAG Folio Case Review

Made by: Urban Armor Gear
Price: $49.95

Hardware/iOS Integration Rating:
Usability Rating:
Reuse Value Rating:
Build Quality Rating:

Overall Rating:

At first glance, it looks a tough, complex cookie. Upon closer inspection, it's clear that at least one of those adjectives holds true. In hand, the empty UAG Folio Case looks like it means serious business. It opens up as a folio usually does - much like a book cover - but it also has an extra trick up its sleeve in that the front cover doubles-up and wraps around in such way that that the back cover can be flipped up and out. It creates a pseudo-three-layered setup, which is perfect for the secondary purpose: creaing a back support so that the tablet can be used upright in landscape.

The composite material that most of the case is covered in looks a bit like kevlar, with tough stitching melding pieces together. The inner lining of the front cover comes in soft black felt - perfect for the screen it will be in contact with - and the front cover also incorporates a strap. Altogether, it exudes a sense of being heavy duty but is still quite light.

Once installed on and around the iPad Mini 2, some of the intricate workmanship becomes a bit more apparent. It's a tight fit, but thankfully just about all openings are still available even though most of the device is covered and protected. The cutouts are very precise, which is important because of the relative rigidity of the material.

The front piece acts as a smart cover, so once engaged the device screen sleeps. Even when open the vase has a bit of a lip; even if the cased device is placed face down with the front cover unengaged, the screen still gets a hair of protection. As noted, it works as a stand, too.

Frankly the case probably won't win any awards for being gorgeous, but with its water resistance and military grade impact resistance, it clearly isn't trying to. And that is where it ultimately stands out.